Experts have still to identify the scorpion, which is around the size of a ten-pence piece.

Usually the smaller the scorpion, the more venomous they are.

Animal rescue officer Steph Grant said: “It’s a bit of a mystery as to how the scorpion came to be there.

“We’ve had instances in the past where we’ve rescued exotic spiders and scorpions found in boxes of fruit originating from overseas, but the people who work in the office haven’t had any fruit deliveries and can’t imagine where it has come from.

“Blackford is a residential area, so there is a chance the scorpion is someone’s pet which has gone missing.

“Office staff managed to contain the scorpion by putting a glass over it but were understandably quite frightened by their little visitor.

“It was cold when I arrived but once it warmed up it became more lively.”

It is likely that the creature is a young scorpion which still has to grow.